Darwin's solicitor John Nixon said: "We approached the prison authorities seeking permission for him to see his wife but that has been refused."

Former prison officer Darwin, 57, turned up alive five years after vanishing in his canoe off Seaton Carew, Co Durham.

He faces charges of obtaining £25,000 by deception from an insurance policy and making a false passport application.

His wife is accused of obtaining £162,000 by deception in relation to insurance and mortgage policies cashed after her husband was officially declared dead in 2003. The couple were remanded in custody until January 11.